Fence construction



A. PINSON FENCE CONSTRUCTION Margh 11, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 50, 1955 INVENTOR.

ABRAHAM PINSON I BY March 11, 1958 A. PINSON 2,326,394

FENCE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

' ABRAHAM PINSON BYMMW FENCE CONSTRUCTION Abraham Pinson, Brooklyn, N Y. Application Marchfil), 1955, Serial No. 497,911

4: Claims. (Cl. 256-.-32)

This invention relates to. improvements in the construction of wire mesh fabric structures such as fences, partitions, cages, window guards, and the like, I Ordinary wire mesh fabric structures comprise rails supported by spaced vertical line and end posts and a Wire mesh fabric peripherally connected to the .posts and the rails spanning the intervening rectangular spaces.

The conventional means for securing the top and bottom selvage edges of the wire mesh to the horizontal rails, expose the unsightly and hazardous prongs of the Wire mesh selvage edges. In the instant invention, horizontal rails are provided which enclose the exposed fabric selvageedges presenting a neat non-hazardous construction. In addition to enclosing the edges of the fabric, the horizontal rails, herein disclosed, are also adapted to be rigidly and adequately secured to the vertical line or terminal posts. Since the instant rail structure which permits the enclosure of the fabric edges is a departure from the usual rail construction, the means for securing the posts and the rails also deviate from the usual rail and post connection means. I

In addition to the foregoing features, the rails are equipped with convenient splicing means at points intermediate the vertical line posts.

-cured to the rails and wherein the rails are supported by the posts with conveniently attachable and detachable means including spliced connections for the rails at points spaced from the posts.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a wire mesh fabric structure comprising a means for securing the top edge of the fabric to the horizontal rail whereby the selvage edge is enclosed by the rail.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a wire mesh structure comprising a hollow horizontal rail adapted to receive and support the edge of a wire fabric inserted therein.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a wire mesh structure comprising hollow rails and Wire mesh fabric, wherein the fabric edges are secured within the rails by means of special clips.

Further objects and inventive details will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings in which: Figure 1 is. a front elevation of a Wire mesh structure incorporating the inventive features; I

Figure 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of Patented Man 11, 19 58 ice a horizontal rail with a portion of the rail broken away to reveal the connection between the rail and the wire mesh fabric;

Figure 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a clip which connects the fabric to the rail;

Figure 4 is a section through 4--4 of Figure 2 showin how the clip of Figure 3' effects a connection between the fabric and the rail; 7

Figure 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a vertical post and an adjoining horizontal rail prior to being connected;

Figure 6-is a perspective view on an enlarged scale. of a coupling used to splice the rails;

Figure 7 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of a portion of a frame adjacent the connection between a post and a rail showing one end of the rail ready for splicing with a member such as shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is an end elevation of Figure 7.

Referring now to Figure 1, an assembled wire mesh structure is seen to comprise vertical terminal or end posts 10 and. 11 connected to horizontal top and bottom rails 12 and 13. A wire mesh fabric 14 is secured at both of its ends to the flanges 15 and 16 projecting inwardly from the posts 10 and 11 respectively. To stiffen the span between the end posts 10 and 11 an intermediate or line post 17 is provided. The wire mesh fabric 14 is secured to the opposite flanges19 and 20 which project from the post 17 towards the end posts It) and 11. It will be understood that any number of such intermediate line .posts may be employed depending entirely upon the nature and extent of the particular fence installation.

The instant invention relates particularly to the top rail 12 and the means for securing said rail to line or end posts such as 17, as well as to the wire mesh fabric 14 along the selvage edge 18 thereof.

. As. better seen in Figures 2 and 4, the rail'12 is secured along the selvage edge. 18 of the Wire mesh fabric by means of clips 21. Rail 12. is comprised of a semicircular outer wall 22, parallel side wall 23 and inwardly projecting flanges 24 projecting towards each other at right angles to the wall 23 presenting a generally U- shaped cross-section. Clips 21 each comprise spaced parallel arms 25 integrally joined by a corrugated web 26 providing a central fence wire receiving groove 27. A resilient metal is employed to fabricate the clip 21 and the groove 27 is of slightly smaller lateral dimensions than the diameter of the portion of the selvage edge of the wire mesh fabric upon which it is mounted or to which it is attached. Although the groove 27 may be formed with lateral dimensions slightly smaller than the diameter of the wire so that it may be resiliently engaged therewith, it has been found advantageous to dimension the clip so that it may be resiliently engaged with an enlarged portion along the selvage edge of the wire mesh fabric such as a joint or knuckle 28 in Figure 2, or 29 of Figure 5. As shown in the drawings, the groove 27 of clip 21 tapers laterally from a larger dimension near the open end toa smaller dimension near the closed end thereof. Consequently by thrusting the clip against the fabric edge the wire element is securely wedged into the groove 27 as shown in Figure 4. As heretofore stated the clips are preferably attached to the fabric at the knuckles such as 28 and 29 which occur at intervals along a the edge of the wire fabric.

In mounting the rail 12 it is positioned over the edge of the wire mesh fabric and the clips are then inserted 3 terior surfaces of the side walls of the rail and the fence knuckle is retained in the clip groove 27.

The spacing between the side arms 25 of the clips is such that, when snapped into position they abut with the interior wall surfaces of side walls 23 of the rail. The selvage edge of the fabric 15 thus retained in the groove 27 of the clip and is centered with respect to the horizontal top rail as well as located within the channel portion thereof. By reason of this arrangement the fabric is retained under proper tension, the vibration of the Wire mesh fabric is prevented and the noise which 7 would normally accompany the vibration of the Wire as it strikes the rail is eliminated. Additionally, the arrangement provides a firm and projection free top rail for the fence which presents a neat and attractive appearance. The spacing between the side arms 25 of the clips 21 is such, that with the clip mounted on the fabric and captured within the channel portion of the top rail, said rail may nevertheless be moved slidingly along the top edge of the fabric thereby permitting it to be moved along the top edge of the fence to any desired location, the purpose of this will more clearly appear hereafter.

As seen in Figures and 8, the circular post 17 is provided with the opposing arcuate indentations or grooves 30 adjacent both ends of the post. These grooves are so located that they will be intersected by the flanges 24 of the rails 12 when the rails 12 are operatively mounted along the edges of the fabric. The grooves 30 are of sufficient circumferential extent to provide an adequate bearing surface for the inner surfaces of the flanges 24.

In Figure 6, a coupling 31 is depicted, for splicing the rail end 32 (Figure 7) to the opposing similar end of a similar rail, not shown. These rails are therefore of course of similar cross-section. Coupling 31 is similar in cross-section to rail excepting for the exclusion of the ledges 24. The dimensions of coupling 31 are slightly less than that of rail 12, whereby the coupling 31 can be snugly telescoped within said rail. Similarly coupling 31 can be snugly telescoped within the end portion of an adjoining rail. Lugs 33 project laterally from both sides of coupling 31 midway from the ends of the coupling. Thu-s coupling 31 can be inserted only one-half its length into the ends of the rails to be spliced. The ends of the rails to be spliced are provided with semi-circular indentations 34 at each side in alignment with thelugs 33. When, for example, the coupling 31 is fully inserted into rail end 32, half of the lugs 33 will be received within the indentations 34. The other half of lugs 33 will be surrounded by the complementary indentations formed in the opposing rail end to be spliced. Thus the coupling is maintained in centered position at the joint at all times thereby providing a firm and securely coupled joint. In addition to maintaining the coupling in centered position lugs 33 serve to maintain the rail ends in alignment, the indentations 34 serving to permit the adjoining ends of the rails to abut with each other. The arrangement thus avoids any apparent break in the top rail and presents a continuous and uninterrupted finish and appearance for the fence edge. As heretofore indicated the rails are capable of sliding movement along the fence edge after having been secured thereto by means of the clips. Thus a rail may be clipped to the fence at some distance from an adjoining rail end, the coupling being then inserted in the end of one of the rails and the rail ends being then moved into abutting relation. By the same token a section of top rail may be clipped to the fabric edge at some distance from an intermediate line post and the rail then slid into position, the flanges 24 of the rail being received in grooves 30 thereby securely locking the rail to the post against upward displacement.

'From the foregoing it is apparent that an arrangement is provided wherein a wire mesh fabric fence may be'readily constructed bearing the advantages herein disclosed. The preferred method of assembly is to locate a rail section along the selvage edge of the fence fabric, the clips are then inserted along the fabric at points such as knuckles causing the groove portions 27 of the clip to embrace the knuckle and the arms 23 thereof to snap into position above flanges 24 of the rail. The rail may then be slidably moved into position over any intervening line post, couplings being inserted between adjoining rails at appropriate points. The ends of the fence may be finished off in any appropriate conventional manner at the end posts.

As a consequence of this arrangement transverse loads produced by the tension in the wire fabric are transferred via the clips 21 to the rails 12 which in turn bear upon the post 17 causing the rails on either side of the post 17 to act in concert, producing a sturdier structure.

In addition to the stiffening action provided by the rails, the hazardous and unsightly edges of the wire mesh fabric are enclosed by the rail which blends aesthetically with the otherportions of the framework.

The structure can be rapidly assembled or dismantled with a minimum ofetfort without the use of special tools. Moreover the components involved do not require expensive fabricating methods, thereby reducing costs to a minimum. Due to the splicing structure disclosed, spans of variable length can be constructed as desired.

Although the embodiments depicted herein are preferred, it should be understood that many changes can be made involving size, shape, material, etc. without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having made a detailed disclosure, a grant of Letters Patent is desired for the invention as defined by the following claims.

-I claim:

l. A wire mesh structure comprising posts and rails removably secured to the posts transversely, in combination with a wire mesh fabric secured to the posts and secured to the rails, said rails having a U-shaped crosssection with the open side facing the fabric in further combination with clips comprising central V-shaped portions adapted to receive and resiliently grasp the edges of the fabric including lateral arms, said rails including internal flanges adjacent the open sides adapted to receive and support the arms Within the rails whereby a series of spaced clips mounted along the fabric edge provide a means for securing the fabric edges within the interior of the bars, said posts being adapted for transverse insertion within the open sides of the bars and including means for engaging the said flanges to provide a transverse support therefor.

2. A Wire mesh'structure as in claim 1 wherein the last said means comprise opposing grooves parallel to and in alignment with the said flanges.

3. A wire mesh structure comprising spaced vertical posts and spaced horizontal rails attached terminally to the posts in combination with a wire mesh fabric having vertical edges and a horizontal edge, the vertical edges being secured to the posts and the horizontal edge to the rails, the said rails having a U-shaped cross-section adapted to receive and enclose the horizontal edge of the fabric in further combination with clips adapted to be secured within the rails and equipped with means for mounting the clips along the horizontal edges of the fabric whereby tensile forces in the fabric are transferred to the rails, said clips further comprising web portions having means for resiliently grasping the horizontal edges of the fabric and integral arms projecting laterally from the web portions adapted to engage the interior of the rails whereby tensile forces from the fabric are transferred to the rails. V

4. A wire mesh structure comprising spaced vertical posts and spaced horizontal rails attached terminally to the posts in combination with a wire mesh fabric having vertical edges and a horizontal edge, the vertical edges being secured to the posts and the horizontal edge to the rails, the said rails having a U-shaped cross-section adapted to receive and enclose the horizontal edge of the fabric in further combination with clips adapted to be secured within the rails and equipped with means for mounting the clips along the horizontal edges of the fabric whereby tensile forces in the fabric are transferred to the rails, said rails further including flanges projecting from the sides of the rails towards each other providing internal abutments and the clips comprise web portions having tapered channels adapted to be clamped about the edge of the fabric, the said clips further including arms projecting laterally from the web portions adapted to engage the said flanges whereby tensile forces from the fabric are transferred via the clips to the rails when the rails are in operative position encompassing the clips.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Gilbert May 7, Coldwell July 25, Churchill Feb. 21, Bauer Mar. 26, Edwards Nov. 25, Flora Sept. 5, Poupitch Apr. 22, Valenta July 14, 

